CCTV improvements and police crackdown to tackle problem of 'boy racers' in South Queensferry
A hotspot for boy racers is set to be targeted with improved CCTV coverage as part of a drive to tackle the problem.
Residents in South Queensferry have told how up to 100 people with cars and motorbikes regularly assemble at the Hawes car park on the front, revving their engines, backfiring, intimidating and abusing passers-by, before going on a circuit of the town, sometimes continuing the disruption until 3 or 4am.
Locals petitioned the city council's transport committee in September, calling for the car park to be closed between 10pm and 6am every night, with robust barriers to stop vehicles getting in.
But a report to the committee says closing the car park would require a traffic regulation order, which would take up to 18 months to process and could face formal objections; the cost of installing a barrier and securing the car park would be significant; and the measures may just displace the problem elsewhere.
The report notes that the layout of Hawes Car Park has been modified to improve pedestrian crossing facilities; additional traffic calming has been put in; and a new permanent CCTV camera installed, with a 24-hour direct feed to the council’s operations centre and Police Scotland command centres.
And it recommends that an additional camera should be installed at the east end of the car park to improve CCTV coverage; more CCTV warning signs should be placed around the car park; and street lighting levels should be increased when appropriate and/or when requested by the police.
It also proposes the council works with Police Scotland to undertake noise monitoring and continues to keep an eye on the situation across the whole of Queensferry.
In a letter to the committee Chief Inspector Trisha Clark of Police Scotland, said they had received a similar number of calls from the Hawes area over the summer as from Queensferry in general about anti-social use of vehicles
.She added: "This supports our collective assertion that drivers gather but also use Queensferry itself to move around in groups and drive in a manner that is inconsiderate or sometimes dangerous, often with accompanying vehicle noise.
“I believe it is important that we continue to address all of the behaviours across the whole of Queensferry for the most robust response to this issue."
In November, officials said traffic calming measures installed in the Dalmeny Park estate seemed to have reduced the problems there.
Chief Inspector Clark said police planned to use a number of options in tackling the problem, including high visibility patrols, use of unmarked vehicles and officers in plain clothes, speed checks, direct engagement with drivers for education and prevention, and enforcement of legislation on anti-social use of vehicles, including seizure of vehicles.
But she also said there had been a steady decrease in the volume of calls received in relation to anti-social use of vehicles in and around Hawes Pier and the wider Queensferry area over the last six months of 2025."Historically, we do see a downturn in the winter but it is worthy of note that the latter half of 2025 has seen a starker decrease than previous years."
Transport and environment convener Stephen Jenkinson said he welcomed the fact local people had brought the petition to the committee. “Tt allowed us to look into it in a greater level of detail and it does highlight concerns.”
But he said closing the Hawes car park was “problematic”. “Potentially it just moves the problem elsewhere.”
He continued: “What we’re proposing is to work with the police and improve CCTV coverage, which hopefully should help. But I think this is going to be an ongoing process to try and improve people's behaviours.
“I’m aware this has been an issue for many years. What we’re trying to do is take reasonable steps and do what we can to improve conditions for the people who live around there.”